Illinois
Jackie Williamson: 2024 candidate for Illinois House District 47
Jackie Williamson
Bio
Party: Democrat
Office Sought: Illinois House District 47
City: Wheaton
Age: 36
Occupation: Benefits specialist
Previous offices held: Outreach Officer for the Democratic Party of Milton Township
How should the state respond to the influx of migrants bussed here from Southern states?
As I’ve been knocking on doors, I hear a lot of different opinions and perspectives — including a range of thoughts on immigration issues. But not one single person believes busing people across the country like cargo for political gain is a solution.
People in our communities want to focus on what we can control. Illinois cannot change border policy or the international factors that are driving migration.
The federal government can and should act, but a bipartisan border bill was derailed by MAGA politicians who again wanted to create problems to score political points, rather than solve problems.
Meanwhile, what Illinois can control is whether our communities have the resources they need to deal with the governor of Texas’ reckless games. I want to work with our community leaders, compassionate service organizations, and law enforcement to ensure they have all the resources they need from the state, so none of these costs are passed on to homeowners already facing high property taxes.
Are you satisfied with the state’s existing ethics policies for senators and representatives? If so, what about the policies should reassure Illinoisans that elected leaders abide by high standards? If not, what changes need to be made?
My background in Human Resources has given me a keen understanding of ethics and how important it is that the people we trust to represent us, hold themselves to a higher standard. We’ve seen at the local level, state level, and federal level how some bad actors will always look to exploit loopholes in the system for their own benefit. We need to identify and close those loopholes before we read about them in the paper.
Ultimately, real meaningful change and building trust has to come from elected officials themselves. People want to feel like those representing them actually care. That starts with showing up to community meetings, being accessible to folks, and continually meeting and talking to community stakeholders. Every day in my current role and on the campaign, I am doing those things to ensure that the people I work for and with, know that I will always have their best interests in mind.
Would you support a requirement that election petitions include a line asking candidates for their campaign email address?
I would support this initiative. I believe that those seeking office should be accessible to voters.
How well do you think criminal justice reforms made in recent years are working? What, if any, changes need to be made?
First and foremost, any criminal justice legislation must include input from communities, law enforcement, and all other important stakeholders. We need to ensure our police have the tools they need right now to keep us safe, while also funding the resources that address the root causes of crime.
But too often politicians want to talk tough about crime during election years and then find a tired excuse to vote against funding for our police, for mental health, and for violence prevention when it’s time to put their money where their mouth is. Our safety isn’t a political game to me.
That’s why I’m going to support efforts to put more officers on our streets and keep our great officers on the job. That’s why I’m also going to prioritize education, mental health, and resources that build strong, safe communities.
We now have an assault weapons ban in Illinois. What if any changes should be made to the law? What more can be done to improve gun safety?
It seems like almost every day we hear another tragic story of someone affected by gun violence. This IS a preventable issue and there are still a number of ways we can improve gun safety in Illinois.
I strongly support the assault rifle weapons ban that Illinois recently passed and believe that to continue to stop the threat of gun violence in our state, we need to pass Karina’s Bill, which would protect victims of domestic violence from gun violence. We again must also address the root cause of what would lead people to violence. I know that if we invest in our communities, we will see a reduction in gun violence.
Illinois is the only state in the nation that mandates regular behind-the-wheel tests for senior drivers. Do you support any changes?
Ensuring our streets are safe for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians is paramount. I know that this is an issue that has come up frequently in the past legislative session. I would like to talk to all stakeholders in the conversation and ensure whatever we do does not put a burden on our seniors and also keeps everyone safe.
What personal qualifications do you bring that would make you an effective legislator?
My professional background is in human resources. In a nutshell, I listen to folks and work with them to find solutions every day. I hear directly from hardworking individuals about issues affecting their lives, such as limited access to health care, high food and gas prices, and insufficient paychecks.
Being a part of these conversations is what inspired me to run to represent our DuPage County communities. Listening to how my employees are struggling has brought me to want to bring my skills to the state legislature to listen to folks and find solutions that help the community.
The drought is over! We repeat, the drought is over! Montana State has won the FCS Championship for the first time since 1984, breaking a 41-year drought.
The Bobcats won the 2025-26 FCS Championship with a 35-34 win over Illinois State in overtime, holding off the Redbirds in the an overtime classic.
After Illinois State scored two fourth quarter touchdowns, the Redbirds had a shot at a game-winning field goal with just over one minute to play. That’s when the kick was blocked! The game proceeded to overtime.
MADNESS IN NASHVILLE, ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?! 🫨
The field goal kick gets blocked by @MSUBobcats_FB, scooped up, and returned back to the 45-yard line of Illinois State. #FCSChampionship x 🎥 ESPN pic.twitter.com/apXWzNehjH
— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) January 6, 2026
In overtime, Illinois State got the ball first and scored a touchdown to take the lead. That’s when the extra-point try was blocked as special teams miscues proved costly for Illinois State.
REDBIRDS STRIKE FIRST IN OVERTIME ⚡️
Dylan Lord scores his second touchdown of the game to give @RedbirdFB the lead. #FCSChampionship x 🎥 ESPN pic.twitter.com/cE9621nX2Y
— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) January 6, 2026
However, Montana State still had to respond with a touchdown of their own. Facing 4th-and-10, quarterback Justin Lamson hit wide receiver Taco Dowler for the game-tying score. To win the game, Colby Frokjer knocked in the game-winning PAT.
TACO DOWLER TOUCHDOWN 🚨🚨🚨
Lamson connects with Dowler in the end zone for an overtime @MSUBobcats_FB touchdown. #FCSChampionship x 🎥 ESPN pic.twitter.com/gBdNnha0PR
— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) January 6, 2026
The game-winning touchdown earned Lamson Most Outstanding Player honors. He completed 67 percent of his passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for 30 yards and two scores.
“There’s not many moments that are gonna be better than this.”@MSUBobcats_FB’s @justin_lamson10 reflects on bringing back the first title in 41 years back to Bozeman with @stan_becton 🏆 #FCSChampionship pic.twitter.com/2UQuvtKXO2
— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) January 6, 2026
It’s the first championship of the Brent Vigen era in Bozeman as the head coach lifts the trophy for the first in his third championship game appearance. The win is also the Big Sky’s first over the MVFC in a championship game, bringing the all time record to 4-1.
Full finish: CHAOTIC Q4 ending, FIRST-EVER FCS title game overtime
What to Know
- -Children between the ages of 5-17 are seeing the highest impact in the surge in cases in Illinois
- -COVID cases are also on the rise, with “moderate” levels reported by the CDC
- -Illinois health officials say just 22% of the state’s residents have received flu immunizations, while 6.8% have received COVID vaccine boosters
Hospital admissions and positive tests for influenza are soaring in Illinois, prompting warnings and concerns from health officials.
According to an update Monday from the Illinois Department of Public Health, flu activity in the state has climbed to “very high” levels in recent days, the most severe of five categories of respiratory illness activity used by the CDC.
Data available via the IDPH’s Seasonal Respiratory Illness Dashboard shows that more than 19% of emergency room visits in Illinois during the last reporting period were due to acute respiratory illness, with more than 18% of hospital admissions attributed to those illnesses.
Acute respiratory illnesses include the flu as well as COVID-19 and RSV, according to officials.
COVID-19 rates are also on the rise, increasing to “moderate” levels in the state according to the CDC.
The CDC uses wastewater monitoring to help detect viruses infecting people in a community, according to its website.
The bulk of hospital admissions and ER visits associated with respiratory illnesses were made because of flu symptoms, according to officials.
Health officials in Illinois are warning of a new and unexpected mutation that could make for a “more serious flu season.” Natalie Martinez has more.
Data shows that the spike in illnesses is having a serious impact on those residents under the age of 18. Children between the ages of 5 and 17 are most impacted by hospital admissions related to acute respiratory illnesses and the flu, while residents over the age of 65 are most impacted by COVID-19.
In the press release, Illinois also reported its first influenza death in a child this season.
“Illinois is facing a significant winter surge in seasonal respiratory illnesses with flu activity at very high levels,” Dr. Sameer Vohra, IDPH director, said. “Vaccinations remain the most effective tool to prevent severe illness from flu, COVID-19 and RSV.”
That push for vaccinations comes as approximately 22% of state residents have received flu shots, according to Illinois health officials. Even though flu season peaks in January and February, officials caution that it can last into May, making vaccination a smart strategy in containing spread of the illness.
In addition to vaccines, washing hands frequently is critical to preventing spread of the illness, as is covering coughs and sneezes, and wearing a mask when ill.
Antiviral treatments can also minimize symptoms and speed up recovery, but must be sought in the early stages of the illness to be effective, officials warn.
More information can be found on IDPH’s website.
ECU Pirates quarterback Katin Houser has committed to transfer to the Illinois Fighting Illini per On3’s Hayes Fawcett. He previously played for the Michigan State Spartans.
Katin Houser played his high school football at St. John Bosco in Bellflower, California. There, he was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2022. Houser had been the 210th-ranked player nationally and the 13th-ranked quarterback in that recruiting cycle. He’d initially attend Michigan State, choosing the Spartans over several Power Four options.
In 2022, Houser’s first year with Michigan State, he would appear in two games and utilize his redshirt. That’s before he played in 11 games during the 2023 season, before transferring out alongside a coaching change at Michigan State. In the end, he landed at ECU.
Houser has spent the last two seasons at ECU. While there, he would play in 21 games over two seasons. In both of those years, Houser would help lead the Pirates to bowl wins. It was the first back-to-back bowl wins for the program since the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
Individually, Houser has found plenty of success too. In 2025 alone, Houser completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 3,300 yards and 19 touchdowns. That was against six interceptions. He also rushed for 181 yards and another nine touchdowns.
For his career, Katin Houser has played in 34 total games. He has completed 62.8 percent of his passes for 6,438 yards and 43 touchdowns. That’s against 22 interceptions. He also has 352 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns for his career.
Illinois is coming off two excellent seasons under Bret Bielema, when the Illini were quarterbacked by Luke Altmyer. During that time, Illinois went 19-7 with two bowl wins. For Illinois, it was the program’s first back-to-back bowl wins since 2010 and 2011. 19 wins was also their most wins in program history over a two-season stretch. Now, however, Altmyer is out of eligibility, meaning Bielema needs to find the quarterback of the future.
This offseason will see Illinois overhaul its roster. The Fighting Illini have already had 25 transfers. That includes quarterback Trey Petty. Along with Katin Houser, Illinois has also added transfer quarterback Maurice Smith from the portal. He’s coming from Division II Chowan University. So, it’s safe to say that Illinois isn’t done with its Transfer Portal additions just yet.
One interesting note in the upcoming 2026 schedule. Illinois is set to play at Michigan State, which will act as a kind of homecoming game for Katin Houser. The date and time for that game aren’t set yet.
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